William Eichler 29 June 2022

Welsh bus industry receives £48m boost

Welsh bus industry receives £48m boost image
Image: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com.

The bus industry in Wales is set to receive a £48m investment to help it recover from the pandemic and cope with the current financial challenges, the Welsh government has announced.

The Bus Emergency package will provide ‘gap funding’ until the end of the financial year for bus operators to maintain the bus services and routes, in return for greater public control over Welsh bus services.

Deputy minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said: ‘The bus industry is emerging from some of its toughest times, and we need to continue to provide support to help the industry recover and secure a healthy future.

‘During the pandemic passenger numbers fell by around 90% and have still only returned to between 50% and 70% of pre-COVID levels, leaving operators struggling with reduced revenue and contending with the latest challenges of rising fuel and operating costs.’

Mr Waters emphasised that this was just a short-term fix and said that a review of the existing Bus Services Support Grant (BSSG) scheme would look at its longer-term sustainability.

‘The funding I’ve announced today will provide a short-term solution to help the industry to begin to recover from the challenges it has and continues to face whilst we develop a longer-term solution to tackle the gradual decline in passengers over the years,’ he commented.

‘In March I set out our plans to bring forward legislation to change the way bus services are delivered across Wales. Throughout this process we will be working closely with local government, the bus industry and passengers, to design a system that is “easy to use, easy to access and well connected” providing people a “real sustainable transport alternative” to the private car.

‘We will provide an update on how these plans are progressing later this year.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Assistant Service Manager

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
£37,938 - £40,476
At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

People Support (HR) Advisor

Essex County Council
£26090.00 - £30693.00 per annum
People Support (HR) AdvisorSecondment, Full Time£26,090 to £30,693 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Older Adult Mental Health

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mobile Library Supervisor

Essex County Council
£23344.00 - £26011.00 per annum + full time equivalent
Mobile Library SupervisorPermanent, Part Time£23,344 up to £26,011 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner